Word Wars in the Government

Posted on
December 13, 2013

A lot has been going on these past days. You wink twice and little did you know, something has already changed in the present administration's cabinet. Recently, the Chief of the Bureau of customs bade his office goodbye, Communication Secretary Ricky Carandang tendered his resignation etcetera etcetera. The nonstop word war between Senators Mirriam Defensor and Juan Ponce Enrile is also alarming.

But nothing is more disturbing than Mar Roxas' word fight against Mayor Romualdez - a fight which i am inclined to believe that Romualdez is winning. It may be recalled that (DILG) Secretary Mar Roxas reportedly said to Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez during a meeting at the height of the disaster caused by Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) that "You have to be very careful, you're a Romualdez and the President is an Aquino".

Allegedly, this happened when Sec. Roxas was requiring Mayor Romualdez to sign a letter stating among others that he can no longer perform his duties and functions as the highest official in Tacloban City. Mayor Romualdez however did not heed to Sec Roxas' directive as he was adviced by his lawyers that the letter could be utilized against him as it may be interpreted as a resignation letter. Roxas allegedly added that the said letter is necessary before the national government could step in to help in the search and rescue operation in the most badly-hit part of the region. One local website has this to say:

What’s in a name anyway? To Roxas, it is everything. He was just short of saying that it was tough luck for the people of Tacloban City that their Mayor is associated with the Marcoses. It’s is quite baffling why Roxas would bring up old wounds during a crisis meeting while lives were still at risk outside of the meeting room. It’s as if the Aquino allies have not moved on from the Marcos years even when they are already in power. It seems Roxas takes things very personal. This is a sign that he is a vindictive person. It is a sign that he is not of sound mind to be in any government position.

If these reports are all true, reviving the issue about the Marcoses/Romualdez and the Aquinos, Secretary Roxas is vainly seeking to breathe life into the carcass of a long dead issue.